Look for places that are “easy on the paws,” advises Best Hikes with Dogs Inland Northwest author Craig Romano. Pick shady trails with soft, leaf- or needle-covered terrain; avoid paths littered with sharp rocks, off-trail routes with steep drops, or any surface that gets very hot. “Stay away from areas with heavy horse use and mountain bikes,” he adds. Search by state at hikewithyourdog.com.

Fit & load his pack

Adjust the harness on your dog so it’s snug but won’t chafe (remove saddlebags first, if the pack allows). You should be able to fit two fingers under it. Load the bags with dog food, treats, water (some packs come with hydration bladders), bowls, and extra gear for you–this is the time for beer or another pillow! Make sure both sides are weighted equally; total load shouldn’t exceed one-third of your dog’s body weight.

Camp with fido

Amy Devine, founder of the 300-member NOVA Trail Dogs Hiking Club in Alexandria, Virginia, keeps her pooches happy–and out of trouble–on overnight trips with these five rules:

Keep dogs leashed around other hikers, bikers, horses, and on steep or slippery terrain (so they don’t knock anyone over). Step aside and yield the trail to all others.

Pack out poop on dayhikes (double-bag it!). On longer trips, follow LNT regs and bury away from the trail and water sources.

Bring a camp towel and brush to clean and dry dogs thoroughly before letting them in the tent. Trim nails pretrip to prevent rips in the tent floor.

Pack a foam pad for sleeping, and a wool or down blanket in cold weather.

Keep track of dogs at night with LED lights or glowstick bracelets on collars.

Keep your pet healthy

Food Start with your regular brand and portion size, advises Michelle Richardson, vet at the Alpine Animal Clinic in Helena, Montana–increasing the amount by up to 50 percent based on his fitness, typical exercise, and the hike’s difficulty. (Rule of thumb: one cup of food per 20 pounds of dog per day.) Give him a small serving about an hour before hiking for extra energy.

Water Use your own thirst as a guide and offer water when you stop to drink–every 15 to 30 minutes, depending on trail difficulty and temperature. And yes, dogs can get Giardia. In high-risk areas–lots of cattle or campers–limit drinking from lakes and streams with a leash, voice commands, and a ready supply of treated water.

Training Build up to longer trips (with both adult dogs and puppies) with a series of shorter hikes to toughen paw pads and develop stamina. Richardson advises waiting until your puppy has received all his shots (about five months) before taking him on the trail, and keeping hikes shorter than one hour to start.

[…] Protect the Paws: Keep in mind that you are wearing comfy walking shoes or hiking boots. Pick a pet-friendly path or protect delicate paws. You can find instructions on making your own pet booties here. […]

[…] Backpacker’s Beginner’s Guide to Hiking With Dogs notes that before leaving the house, find an appropriate trail for your dog that is “easy on the paws.” Choose shaded, soft terrain paths over those with steep drops or rocks and keep in mind your dogs age and health. (Backpacker provides easy 4-step instructions to make your own dog booties.) […]

[…] dogs that are fit enough for hiking should be able to carry their own food and water. According to The Backpacker by Angele Sionna and Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, a good rule of thumb is one cup of food per 20 pounds […]

[…] walking for both you and your dog, so it’s important to ease into hiking and not overdo it. Backpacker.com recommends that you find canine-friendly trails and follow the advice of Best Hikes with Dogs […]

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[…] that are fit enough for hiking should be able to carry their own food and water. According to The Backpacker by Angele Sionna and Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, a good rule of thumb is one cup of food per 20 […]

[…] walking for both you and your dog, so it’s important to ease into hiking and not overdo it. Backpacker.com recommends that you find canine-friendly trails and follow the advice of Best Hikes with Dogs […]

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Sponsored: After looking at a map and seeing where you’re heading, it’s always amazing to see it appear up ahead of you in real life. Here’s our Editor-in-Chief hiking to two unnamed tarns near the headwaters of Lime Creek, about 3.5 miles west of Molas Pass on the Colorado Trail. Continued thanks to Mountain Hardwear for making the #ColoradoTrailFest come to life. #LiveBreatheHike #MountainHardwear Photo By Kennan Harvey